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Pompei: Observations From Bears-Vikings

The Bears have the best defense in the league by a wide margin.

(670 The Score) If a 25-20 victory over the Vikings on Sunday night was a statement game for the Bears, this is the statement they made: They can hang with the big boys, and it appears they aren't going to fade down the stretch. Here are my observations:

1. What was significant is the Bears defeated a quality team on a night in which their quarterback was below average.

2. Not only do the Bears have the best defense in the league, they have the best defense in the league by a wide margin. During a season in which offenses have dominated, the Bears defense is bucking the trend.

3. The Bears might want to lobby to have more games flexed to Sunday night, given Khalil Mack is on their side. In three night games this season, Mack has three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

4. Akiem Hicks is 29 years old and in his seventh NFL season, and he may still be getting better.

5. Any team with pass protection issues is going to have a hard time beating the Bears.

6. If Leonard Floyd continues to play like he did Sunday, he’s going to make some big plays.

10. Trubisky the runner makes Trubisky the passer more dangerous because pass rushers have to take something off their rush against him, and defensive coordinators are more likely to call for zone defenses in which their players can keep their eyes on the quarterback.

11. Give me 53 Anthony Millers, and I’ll take my chances.

12. If you can’t trust your kicker to hit a 48-yard field goal with the game on the line, you have the wrong kicker.

14. The Bears played better than expected. The Vikings played worse than expected. I’m already looking forward to the rematch in Minneapolis on Dec. 30.

Dan Pompei has been covering the NFL since 1985 and is a regular contributor to 670 The Score and its Bears pregame show. He also writes for Bleacher Report and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter @Dan Pompei.